371 series
The 371 series was an electric multiple unit train operated by Central Japan Railway Company in Japan between 1991 and 2014. Originally used on Asagiri limited express services in conjunction with Odakyu Electric Railway, from 2012 until its withdrawal in 2014, the train was used on Gotemba Line excursion services. It was subsequently sold to the private railway operator Fuji Kyuko and rebuilt as the Fujikyu 8500 series for use on Fujisan Tokkyu services from March 2016.
Design
The lone 7-car 371 series set was built jointly by Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Nippon Sharyo.Operations
From its introduction on 16 March 1991 until 16 March 2012, the 371 series set was used alongside the two Odakyu 20000 series RSE EMUs on Asagiri services run jointly by the private railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway and JR Central between Odakyu's Tokyo terminus at and JR Central's Numazu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture via the Gotemba Line. In addition to the daytime Asagiri services, the train was also used on the following "Home Liner" limited-stop commuter services.- Home Liner Numazu
- Home Liner Hamamatsu
- Home Liner Shizuoka
From June 2012, the 371 series set was used on additional limited-stop "Rapid" services on the Gotemba Line connected with a series of hiking events.
Formation
The one 7-car set, X1, was formed as follows. The two Green cars, 3 and 4, were bilevel cars.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Designation | Mc | M' | ThsD | ThsD | M | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuMoHa 371-101 | MoHa 370-101 | SaRoHa 371-101 | SaRoHa 371-1 | MoHa 371-201 | MoHa 370-1 | KuMoHa 371-1 |
Cars 1, 5, and 7 are each fitted with one C-PS27A single-arm pantograph.
Interior
Standard class cars had regular 2+2 seating. The two bilevel cars had Green accommodation on the upper decks with 2+1 seating, and standard-class accommodation on the lower decks, also with 2+1 seating.History
The 371 series set entered service on 16 March 1991. From 24 June 1997, car 7 was made no-smoking, and from 18 March 2007, all cars were made no-smoking. From 6 November 2006, the original PS24A lozenge-type pantographs were replaced with C-PS27A single-arm pantographs.Withdrawal
The 371 series was withdrawn from Asagiri services following its last run on 16 March 2012. It was subsequently re-employed as a special charter train for use from autumn 2012.The train was finally withdrawn from service after a final run on 30 November 2014.